The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Warrant Officer One (WO-1) Thomas A. Mandelke (ASN: W-3159893), United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty on 20 March 1969 while serving as a pilot with the Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date while Warrant Officer Mandelke was flying reconnaissance for ground troops conducting a sweeping operation, the friendly force suddenly came under intense hostile automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenade fire. Upon being informed that several casualties had been sustained, he unhesitatingly maneuvered his aircraft into an extremely small landing zone under heavy fire in order to evacuate wounded personnel. On three different occasions, despite continued enemy automatic weapons fire from several sides, he piloted his heavily-loaded aircraft into and out of the precarious landing zone to evacuate seriously wounded ground troops. Warrant Officer Mandelke’s courage and deep concern for the welfare of his fellow soldiers were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.